Stranger Things’ Charlie Heaton to Star in The Elephant Man

A two-part adaptation of The Elephant Man is in the works for BBC One with Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) in the lead role.

Written by Neil McKay (Moorside), The Elephant Man adaptation explores the mysteries that surround Joseph Merrick (better known as The Elephant Man) and the man behind the myth. The 2×90-minute drama is being produced by New Pictures (The Missing, Requiem, Indian Summers, The Innocents) for BBC One in association with all3media international.

There have been numerous depictions of Merrick on stage and screen, with the first performance originating from David Schofield in a 1979 play written by Bernard Pomerance. Many well-known actors have taken on the iconic role since, including David Bowie, Mark Hamill and, most recently, Bradley Cooper. In 1980, David Lynch directed John Hurt in the lead role in a motion picture based on Merrick’s life.